Physical Activity and Fitness in White- and Blue-Collar Retired Men

Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and Its Relationship with the Predisposition to Muscle and Joint Injuries Associated with the COL1A1 and IL-6 Gene in Older Adults

Background/Objectives: Aging leads to physiological changes influenced by lifestyle, environment, and genetics, increasing the risk of morbidity and mortality in older adults. COL1A1 gene encodes an essential protein in connective tissues, which is associated with musculoskeletal lesions. The interleukin-6 (IL-6) gene is a proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory regulator and has a greater predisposition to fractures and osteoporosis reported. In turn, these alterations are associated with a decrease in physical capacity, leading to a progressive loss of functionality and quality of life in older adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed to identify the relationship between physical condition as determined using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and the predisposition parameters for muscle and joint injuries in a population of 422 older adults, active and of ≥60 years. The variables evaluated were sociodemographic data, SPPB evaluation, and COL1A1 and IL-6 gene DNA extracted by buccal scraping. Results: SPPB total score was significantly correlated with age -0.07, weight -0.02, waist circumference -0.02, and body mass index -0.05 (p < 0.005). Conclusions: Regarding genetic variables, there were no significant differences. However, lower SPPB values were observed in the GG genotype and GT of COL1A1 when compared to the CC genotype and GC of IL-6.

Do Surgeons Accurately Predict Level of Activity in Patients With Distal Radius Fractures?

PURPOSE

One factor influencing the management of distal radius fractures is the functional status of the patient. The purpose of this study was to assess the agreement between patient and surgeon assessments of patient activity level in patients sustaining a distal radius fracture.

METHODS

Ninety-seven patients were included, with a mean age of 58.5 years (range, 18-92 years). Patients completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, a validated survey that provides a score of low, moderate, or high activity levels. Treating surgeons provided an independent assessment using the same scale. Agreement between patient and surgeon assessments was evaluated using a weighted kappa-statistic, with a secondary analysis using logistic regression models to assess odds of surgical treatment.

RESULTS

Interrater agreement between surgeons and patients demonstrated only "fair" agreement, with a kappa-statistic of 0.33. Predictive models showed that surgeons accurately identified 73% of "high activity" patients but failed to correctly identify more than 41% of patients rated as "moderate activity" or "low activity." There was a correlation between surgical intervention and increasing physical activity status as assessed by the surgeon; however, the magnitude of this effect was unclear (odds ratio, 2.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-4.30). This relationship was no longer significant after adjusting for age, Charlson comorbidity index, and fracture class. There was no association between surgical intervention and physical activity status when using the status provided by the patient.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgeon assessment of patient activity level does not have strong agreement with patients' independent assessment. Surgeons are most accurate at identifying "high activity level" patients but lack the ability to identify "moderate activity level" or "low activity level" patients.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Recognition of surgeon assessment of patient activity level as flawed can stimulate improved dialog between patients and physicians, ultimately improving the shared decision-making process.

Respiratory Function and Muscle Strength Vs. Past Work Type: a Cross-Sectional Study Among Retirees

Objectives

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the effects of past occupational activity on muscle strength and respiratory function among retirees.

Methods

A total of 205 community-dwelling older adults participated in the study. Age (≥60 years) and cessation of professional activity (retirement) constituted the inclusion criteria. The International Standardized Classification of Occupations (ISCO-08) was used to stratify the participants into white- or blue-collar groups. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume (FEV) in the first second, inspiratory vital capacity (IVC) parameters, and hand grip strength were tested.

Results

Statistically significant differences in IVC and FVC scores were found in white- and blue-collar workers after adjusting for sex and age (ANCOVA). White-collar men had significantly higher IVC as compared to blue-collar men.

Conclusions

Blue-collar male workers may be prone to deteriorating respiratory function in older age. It is vital to promote physical activity and educate blue-collar workers about the need to use respiratory protective equipment.

The Impact of Lifetime Work and Non-work Physical Activity on Physical Fitness Among White – and Blue – Collar Retirees: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: The literature offers significant amount of data on the effects of occupational activity on health, with a distinct link between retirement and health among the most frequently tackled topics. Studies on the relationship between past occupational activity and physical fitness among older retirees remain scarce. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of physical activity on physical fitness in white- and blue-collar retirees.

Methods: A total of 200 participants (aged ≥60) were included in the study. Lifetime physical activity was assessed using the Lifetime Physical Activity Questionnaire. Mean MET/week/year values of total Physical Activity and for each domain separately (occupational, sports, household) were calculated. Participants were stratified to blue- or white- collar group. Physical performance, hand-grip strength (HGS) and pulmonary function were assessed.

Results: Mean total MET/week/year values for the blue- and the white-collar workers were 140.48 ± 55.13 and 100.75 ± 35.98, respectively. No statistically significant differences in physical performance scores were found between the white- and blue- collar groups. Adjustment for age, sex weight and height revealed a statistically significant association between work-related PA FEV*1 in the blue-collar group. White – collar workers presented higher odds ratio for membership in highest quartile in regard to short physical performance battery test score.

Conclusion: Only minimal association of type of occupation on physical fitness were found despite statistically significant differences between mean intensity and duration of sports- and work-related lifetime physical activity. These findings may indicate that the type of past work is not an independent factor influencing the state of a person in old age. Large-scale investigations with physically fit and unfit participants, are necessary.

Screening Gait Performance, Falls, and Physical Activity among Benedictine and Trappist Monks

Background and Objective:

Physical performance in older men has been reported in analyses with veterans and in disease-based cohort research. Studies examining gait performance among older monks, however, are narrow. The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of a recent fall on gait ability in a cohort of Benedictine and Trappist monks in 4 US monastic communities. The second aim was to analyze physical activity and a recent fall as predictive markers of 2 constructs of gait performance.

Methods:

In this cross-sectional study, 53 Benedictine and Trappist monks over 60 (x = 74.7 ± 7.6; range: 61-94 years) completed a basic sociodemographic and fall history profile, the Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test, Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) and the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE).

Results:

Demographic profiles revealed that 10% of participants had fallen over the past 3 months; in addition, those who had fallen were more likely to limit activities because of fear of falling (P = .005). Monks who had fallen over the past 3 months demonstrated significantly poorer TUG (12.6 ± 2.1 vs 10.5 ± 1.8; P = .01) and DGI (17.2 ± 5.3 vs 22.3 ± 2.3; P < .001) scores. There was a significant association between physical activity and both the TUG (–0.55; P < .001) and DGI (64; P < .001). Multiple regression models demonstrated that physical activity and a fall in the past 3 months predicted 24% of the variance in the TUG (P < .001) and 46% of the variance in the DGI (P < .001).

Conclusions:

Gait performance is linked to a recent fall episode among older monks. Predictive determinants of functional mobility (TUG) and superimposing tasks on the gait cycle (DGI) include recent fall history and physical activity. Appropriate health promotion activities can be aligned with these lifestyle attributes in monastic communities.